Thursday, February 8, 2018

Elderberry Syrup


I have a post started on how to combat and prevent the flu...but twins, so here is the Elderberry I promised for now.



Elderberry Syrup

3/4 cup of dried elderberries  (flu season has increased the demand and price, they are normally $18-19)
4 cups water (reversosmo. if you are lucky enough, distilled great, filtered will work too)
1 TB cinnamon
2 TB dried ginger or about 1/2 cup fresh peeled and chopped or about half that grated (see what you like)
1 tes cloves
1 cup Raw local honey (I use a little less than a cup, the more honey the sweeter but it also stores longer)


In a sauce pan place the water, berries and spices (NO honey at this point).  Bring to a boil decrease heat and simmer for about 30-45 mins or until it has reduced to about 3 cups...meaning a little more than half for my non kitchen savvy friends.
Turn off the heat and let it sit covered.  Then squish the berries a bit, I use this, you would be amazed at the things I use this for ha!
Then strain the liquid into a medium size bowl ( love this set!), add the honey and stir well...again you want the liquid to be close to room temp, not hot.
Once it is nice and mixed, use a funnel to put it in your favorite jar....If I was supper messy, and I normally am in the kitchen, I strain it again into the funnel to catch the extra bits.

Store in the fridge.
To prevent illness and boost the immune system the recommendation is to take 1 TB for adults and 1tes for kids (over a year old cause it has honey) once a day.  If you are starting to feel the crud coming on take it right away, 1TB every 1-3 hours.
If you really want a boost, add a shot of AVC to one of those and you will kick a cold, sinus infection and heal your guy all in one.

Don't want to make it?  No worries!  Try this great local to the Charlotte area one call Sweet's Syrup.
They are getting new retailers all the time or she ships as well. It has become a big thing in the last year, so I bet a local farmers market has someone selling it...I am hoping the price on the berries decreases when they meet the demand.  It is cheaper to make and supper easy!

Once you have it down, try adding more or less of the spices you like...We will talk more about what they do later.  In summery...it boost the immune system, fights colds/sinus stuff and interrupt virus replication.


















Ps The links are affiliated, they don't increase the price to your product and I get credit for introducing you to it.  Also I am not your primary care these are just suggestion you take freely, so take your own health into consideration with all topics here...when in doubt call your midwife or family practice.